The conference, Wire Expo 2008, will be held at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania from June 07 to 11, 2008. This is the conference in between the somewhat larger Interwire shows held every second year. Interwire 2009 will be in Cleveland at the IX Center right beside the airport from April 25 to 30, 2009.

Since you have not been to one of these conferences before, this could very well be a very good way to get acclimated. Everybody however has to judge for themselves as to the value of the conference for them and for their company. I suggest you review all the information at the WAI conference web site at
www.wirenet.org/events/wireexpo/Attendee.htm
in order to make an informed decision.

I do not understand your comment about rod as you may be referring to copper, steel, or aluminum. You also may be employed by an equipment manufacturer or a rod manufacturer. In any event, just review the exhibitors list to see who is going to be there.